Purandhar..walk in clouds..

Purandhar is one of the good weekend getaway near to Pune.
We started on Saturday morning for purandhar...it was the time when palki procession has just left hadapsar..

...when we reached near to saswad we found that we were traveling on the same route taken by palki..we met the procession midway..the massive organization of the procession amazed us...we diverted our bikes through the village lanes...the villagers were very friendly & helpful...
The diversion towards Purandhar can be identified with the help of the Shivaji statute at the junction and a petrol pump on the opposite side...it being monsoon season as soon as we have taken the diversion to Purandhar we found the mist engulfing the hills..my favorite sight..

misty hills

we traveled hoping that it won't rain
...but in vain...we reached the starting point of our trek and the showers started...we waited till the showers to end and started...we where not sure whether the path taken by us is correct or not..we only thought the we have to find a military camp if we are in the right route...the trek till the camp was uneventful...we were a batch of 4 people...we enjoyed the solitude in the hills..just as we where about to reach the camp the downpour again started :(...it was testing our determination to reach a top purandhar...we found a tea stall nearby had a sip of hot tea and started again undeterred by the small drizzle..the military camp was nearby. We registered our entry with them an proceeded on our journey...

near the military camp

two birds at one shot..one can visit both vajragad and purandhar from this place...after traveling straight for some time you will find small statue of shivaji from there if you take the route on right u will reach purandhar, the left route takes you to vajragad..a sign board will indicate you the routes..we opted to take the left route first. we thought to visit the hanuman tal en route to vajragad...but the drizzle has put us at disadvantage..we where not able to see beyond 10 mtrs...we were not sure of the path...but we proceeded forward with determination and caution...

then we found a small trail.. and beheld the massive rocky structure in the shape of diamond..only then we understood that we reached the famous 'Vajragad'. 

trail to Vajragad

I was unsure that this was the end in vajragad, so after much discussion we started exploring around the hill and found a small path leading to the other side of the hill(or to the top)..the path was very slippery added to the drizzle...we thought of returning to junction and try a chance at purandar....so ended our exploration of vajragad..!!

we got accustomed to the drizzle and reached purandhar fort safely..the structure visible through the mist was nearly similar to that of purandhar..we found that there is huge space identical to open air auditorium..

area near Purandhar fort

Purandhar fort main hill

we checked if there is a similar path around this hill..it is there and along with that we found that the main destination is to reach the top as we could see the trademark saffron triangular flag hoisted on the top..but one of our friend was very hesitant to take the trek..so we decided to return back..we spent some time there and started back...

main part which we left out due to the drizzle

by the time we reached the tea stall near the we were very hungry.. we had a good breakfast and then proceeded

view from the top we traveled the same route

Most of our journey was covered with mist and drizzle, at that height it was like walking in the clouds..one could see small droplets in the air..the experience was wonderful..